Betsy Devos, Perfect for the JobBecause it is the declared intention of the current administration to eliminate the federal Department of Education, their choice of Secretary is an excellent one.

Congress and Education 2017A principal goal of the 115th Congress is to abolish the federal Department of Education. Wherever you stand on the issue, you would do well to consider the ramifications.

Cursive Writing ControversyCursive writing is just one style of handwriting, but many people seem to think that it is the only kind.
North Carolina legislators have passed a law requiring that all fifth graders must be able to write in cursive.

Parent Trigger LawsThe existence of parent trigger laws are seen by many as a positive alternative for parents who feel that promised school reform takes too long. A closer look makes one wonder just whom these laws are intended to benefit.

Politicians and EducationEfforts to improve the academic quality of U.S. public schools continue to fail because legislation that ties everything to standardized test scores and makes scapegoats of teachers is totally out of touch with the reality of U.S. culture.

Section 504 in Education[offsite link]A 504 Plan is a legal document that requires specific assistance for mainstreamed students with special needs. Here are some FAQs.

Special Education vs General EducationAs the number of school children diagnosed with special needs soars, many schools face bankruptcy in their attempts to meet federal mandates to serve this demographic. Like other areas of public education, special education is in serious need of reform.

Third Grade Reading LawThirteen states have passed Third Grade retention laws. Children who fail to learn to read well enough to do fourth grade work will repeat the third grade.

What Exactly is ALEC?The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) seems to be dedicated to the goal of diverting public money to private pockets. When it comes to education, parents must question the motives of reformers.

What is STEM?STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. It has become a kind of mantra for business leaders and politicians who want more children to pursue careers in those subjects. A danger is that STEM is seen by some as being of more value than subjects in the Liberal Arts.

Why NCLB has failedIn 2002, NCLB promised that by 2014, 100% of U.S. school children would demonstrate “proficiency” in reading and math. On the NAEP test in 2012, 40% of fourth-graders scored at proficiency or above in math, and 32% scored proficiency in reading. Going by NAEP results, NCLB won't make the deadline.

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